Project Director(s):

Problem:

A growing demand for PH nutrition services to meet the needs of a diverse MCH population, & few training resources in the 13 western states. Response: UCLA Partners continue to serve as a western regional & national resource for leadership training, TA & CE for Title V & related programs.

Goals and Objectives:

Goal 1: To prepare graduates, emphasizing doctoral-level nutritionists, for leadership roles in nutrition education, service, research, administration & advocacy to meet the goals of the MCH Strategic Plan.
Goal 2: To continue to develop the UCLA Partnership as a regional and national resource for Title V programs and other agencies and programs with similar mandates, in western states and nationally.
Objective 1.1: Support 5 MCH nutrition trainees/year, who are, or will be, RDs, for 2 yrs. of their graduate training (MS; MPH; DrPH; PhD)
Objective 1.2: Recruit at least 30% of supported trainees from underrepresented groups.
Objective 1.3: Target other PH students as future nutrition advocates
Objective 2.1: Promote leadership among Title V/other public health (PH) nutritionists by enhancing the 13-state Western MCH Nutrition Leadership Network (NLN) begun in 1999
Objective 2.2: Collaborate with the other MCH Training Programs in the West by sharing resources/leveraging our strengths in 2/year graduate education, CE or research activities, using distance learning (DL) technology.

Methodology:

To continue the unique and successful western university Partnership (UCLA, UW, OHSU, CSU, UNM) to leverage MCH training funds to serve as a Regional western nutrition resource. Recruit a graduate student at each institution for up to 2 years of support (minimum of 15 total), preference given to those in doctoral programs. Target recruitment to PH agencies/ programs that employ potential applicants, particularly those who represent cultural/ethnic diversity, eg. HIS. Include training in leadership and cultural competence. Enrich the nutrition curriculum of each program by building on unique strengths to develop/share courses, distance learning modules, collaborative research and other activities. Focus CE activities on the integration of MCH nutrition services, using PH nutrition skills (including measuring outcomes, quality improvement and cost-effectiveness) into health programs in a changing health care environment. Identify needs and develop training modalities to address the current and emerging PH challenges such as childhood obesity and the developmental origins of disease and assuring preventive services. Provide an annual forum for current nutrition leaders in the 13 Western states to increase their knowledge and skills providing and/or assuring services in PH settings by facilitating interdisciplinary, interagency and public-private networking and collaboration. Address current issues, in partnership with state/local agencies, using a variety of modalities.

Coordination:

Each Partner has relationships with their state/local Title V and other agencies through student field placements, consultations, TA, CE, etc; each also collaborates with local MCH training programs. The Western MCH Nutrition Leadership Network provides contact with the other 8 western states (HI, NV, AZ, UT, ID, AD, MT, WY). Coordination with all MCH Nutrition grantees occurs via conference calls/annual meetings. Bimonthly Partners tele-conferences allow planning/coordination of activities.

Evaluation:

Primary outcome: The % graduates showing leadership in MCH nutrition. Process & secondary outcomes include: the % of enrolled trainees from diverse backgrounds, former trainees employed in community-based MCH settings, the # of students from other disciplines enrolled in program-affiliated nutrition courses, the # of courses at Partner universities with nutrition content, the range/impact of CE activities & TA offered, the program's impact on national health & training performance measures.